CHAPTER 10: - Right to Freedom of Movement: - Article 12
1.
Constitutional and Judicial Measures
Section 41 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of
movement subject to the constitutional limitations relating to measures that are
reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.
A good example of law that forms an exception to the right to freedom of movement as
enshrined in the constitution is Section 36 of the Immigration Act Cap. 1, Vol. 7, LFN
2004 which stipulates thus: “Subject to the provision of Subsection (2) of this Section,
the Minister (of Interior) may if he thinks it to be in the public interest, by order prohibit
the departure of any person from Nigeria, and if the travel document of any person are
not in proper order or there is, to the knowledge of the Immigration Officer, an unsatisfied
order of a Court of Competent Jurisdiction or Warrant of arrest relating to that person,
an immigration officer may refuse to allow such person to leave Nigeria, or in his
discretion he may refer the case of the Comptroller General of Immigration Service for
further consideration. By virtue of Section 36(2), this power of the Minister to prohibit
departure cannot be exercised in respect of exempted persons who enjoy certain
immunities.
With respect to foreigners – whether aliens or West African Citizens, their
freedom of movement into, out of and within Nigeria is subject to compliance with certain
Immigration requirements as provided in the various Nigeria Immigration Laws
especially the Immigration Act, Immigration Regulations (Control of Aliens), African
Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights as well as ECOWAS protocol on free movement
of persons, residence and establishment.
Otunba Oyewole Fashawe v. Attorney-General of the Federation & 3 Others (2007) CHR
890-116: - Based on the above facts, the Applicant brought an action for the
enforcement of his fundamental rights as contained in Section 35, 36, 37, 40, 41 and 43
of the 1999 Constitution and Articles 6, 7, 11-12 and 14 of the African Charter on Human
and Peoples’ Rights.
i. A declaration that the arrest, detention and incarceration of the Applicant by the
2nd Respond at Abuja and later in Lagos without any warrant and without any
charge laid or framed against him is unconstitutional, illegal and constitutes a
violation of the Applicant’s fundamental right to personal liberty, fair hearing and
freedom of movement as respectively guaranteed by Section 35, 36 and 41 of
the 1999 Constitution and Articles 6, 7, 11 and 12 of the African Charter on
Human and Peoples’ Rights.
In a considered ruling the Court dismissed the Respondent’s Preliminary
Objection, allowed the application and granted the reliefs sought by the Applicant.
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